Written Answers Tuesday 26 October 2010

Scottish Executive

Antisocial Behaviour

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to seek to amend the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004.

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in considering and implementing the recommendations in the report, Review of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for Antisocial Behaviour.

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to require local authorities and registered social landlords to offer a package of support measures to anyone being considered for an antisocial behaviour order.

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has consulted interested parties on potential changes to the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004.

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in establishing the database referred to on page 7 of Promoting Positive Outcomes: Working Together to Prevent Antisocial Behaviour in Scotland, Volume 3 .

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in designing and implementing a performance framework to support local authorities, community safety partnerships and other relevant partners in their efforts to tackle antisocial behaviour.

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to publish guidance on the procedure for, and drafting of, criminal antisocial behaviour orders.

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what conclusions it has drawn from the Community Wellbeing Champions Initiative.

Fergus Ewing: The implementation plan for our antisocial behaviour framework, Promoting Positive Outcomes , was published in October 2009. It committed us to providing an annual report to the Parliament on progress against the actions and recommendations in the plan.

  The first annual progress report will be presented to the Parliament shortly and will provide a comprehensive overview of how our framework is contributing to national outcomes aimed at making our communities safer and stronger.

Antisocial Behaviour

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is supporting the Scottish Community Wardens Network.

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is supporting community wardens.

Fergus Ewing: Community wardens across Scotland play a key role in making our communities safer, stronger places to live. Following the concordat between COSLA and the Scottish Government, the operation of each community warden scheme is the responsibility of its local authority and most local authorities have reviewed their warden services to best meet local needs.

  The Scottish Government supports community wardens and the Scottish Community Wardens’ Network in a number of ways, based on activities identified in the antisocial behaviour framework Promoting Positive Outcomes.

  We assist and promote the sharing of good practice through regular attendance at official level at Scottish Community Wardens’ Network meetings and, more broadly, through the Scottish Community Safety Network. We also provide financial support through the funding of the national conference.

Birds

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it is making available to local authorities for the control of seagulls.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government does not provide funding to local authorities for the specific purpose of controlling urban gulls. It is a matter for individual local authorities to determine priorities for the use of the resources available to them including the resources provided to them through the Scottish Government block grant.

Community Care

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions there have been with COSLA regarding the possible funding implications of the decision of the Independent Living Fund not to accept new applications.

Shona Robison: There have been ongoing discussions with COSLA about the Independent Living Fund’s decision to stop new applications since July 2010. Scottish Government officials met with officials from COSLA, ADSW and representatives of the independent living movement on the 14 July 2010 and again with those organisations and the Learning Disability Alliance on the 18 October 2010 to discuss this matter.

  I have also made representations to the Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller MP, to highlight the impact that any changes would have on disabled people in Scotland.

Culture

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36359 by Fiona Hyslop on 30 September 2010, what (a) estimated costs and (b) costs to date are associated with Creative Scotland’s move to its new Edinburgh office.

Fiona Hyslop: (a) The estimated net total cost of the relocation will not exceed £70,000.

  (b) As at 4 October 2010 Creative Scotland had paid £24,307 associated with its move to Waverley Gate.

Culture

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36359 by Fiona Hyslop on 30 September 2010, on what criteria it based its decision that the move offered excellent value in current market conditions, as well as significant operational benefits.

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36360 by Fiona Hyslop on 30 September 2010, what stakeholders, organisations or groups were consulted prior to approval by ministers of the business case.

Fiona Hyslop: In line with sound estate management practice, suitability of the accommodation for operational purposes and best value were the criteria used for the decision to move Creative Scotland’s Edinburgh office from Manor Place to Waverley Gate.

Culture

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the voluntary early redundancy scheme made available in relation to the establishment of Creative Scotland was designed to retain skilled staff in the new organisation.

Fiona Hyslop: The skills and expertise required in Creative Scotland were taken into full consideration in all voluntary early severance decisions.

Culture

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional skills are required at Creative Scotland.

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Creative Scotland plans to recruit new employees with enterprise skills.

Fiona Hyslop: Creative Scotland is currently engaged in a skills audit to determine any skills gaps.

Culture

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Creative Scotland has abandoned funding for any projects and, if so, how many and which projects.

Fiona Hyslop: Creative Scotland will honour all existing funding commitments made by its predecessor organisations.

  Information about Creative Scotland’s current investments is available on its website at http://www.creativescotland.com/#/investment/investment-overview.

Dairy Industry

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support it gave to creameries in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10 and has given in 2010-11, broken down by (i) creamery, (ii) value of grant, (iii) purpose of grant and (iv) source of funding.

Richard Lochhead: The requested information is provided in the following table:

  

Company Name
Location
Project Description
Source of Funds
GrantAward (£)


2008-09
 
 
 
 


North Street Dairy
Forfar
Cream separator and butter churn
FPMC
5,018 


Katy Rodger
Fintry
New creamery building and equipment for ice cream production.
FPMC
77,939 


Cambus O'May Cheese Company
Torphins
Establishment of cheese making and maturing company.
FPMC
187,958 


Cambus O'May Cheese Company
Torphins
Product development and quality system certification.
FPMC
10,884 


Orkney Cheese Company Ltd
Orkney
Feasibility study to consider the introduction of whey processing.
FPMC
16,000



  

2009-10
 
 
 
 


Graham's Dairies
Bridge of Allan
Extension to existing dairy building and installation of new production line.
FPMC
184,246 


Mackies Ltd
Rothienorman
Purchase and installation of an automated integrated and packaging manufacturing system, together with additional items of processing and packing equipment.
FPMC
362,293 


Arran Dairies Ltd
Brodick, Arran
Purchase and installation of a homogeniser.
FPMC
7,125 


Millers Dairy
Carluke
Glass bottle testing facility.
FPMC
39,014 


Alan Wilson and Son
Stanley
Purchase of larger vertical batch freezer and small potting machine.
FPMC
17,070 


Scottish Milk Products Ltd
Campbeltown
Construction of new cheese creamery
Scottish Gover-nment
 3,931,800 



  Note: FPMC = Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation grant scheme (a measure within the Scotland Rural Development Programme).

Electricity

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on asking Scottish Power to underground sections of the Beauly to Denny power line upgrade in the Stirling area.

Jim Mather: Condition 19 of the consent for the Stirling section of the Beauly to Denny upgrade requires that a visual impact mitigation scheme is approved by Scottish Ministers before any towers and overhead line are erected in the Stirling Council area covered by the Scottish Power Transmission Ltd consent. Scottish Ministers will only decide whether or not to approve the details of that scheme once formal proposals have been submitted by Scottish Power Transmission Ltd.

Electricity

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on asking Scottish and Southern Energy to underground sections of the Beauly to Denny power line upgrade in the Stirling area.

Jim Mather: The Stirling section of the proposed Beauly to Denny upgrade is almost entirely covered by the Scottish Power Transmission Ltd consent and the Scottish Government have no plans, or means within the conditions of the consent, to ask Scottish and Southern Energy to consider undergrounding in the area.

Energy

Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what savings have been achieved by each local authority and public body as a result of the new public sector electricity contracts announced in its news release of 30 April 2009, Public sector power goes greener.

Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what savings are projected for each local authority and public body as a result of the new public sector electricity contracts announced in its news release of 30 April 2009, Public sector power goes greener.

John Swinney: Approximately 98% of in scope public sector demand in Scotland – some 24,000 buildings – is now signed up to our national electricity contracts. Given that public bodies migrated to these contracts on an incremental basis from 1 October 2009 until 1 April 2010, the first full year where the majority of participating bodies received power via the national contracts is April 2010 to March 2011. For that year, we estimate that the contracts will deliver total benefits of around £10 million, with similar benefits achieved until contract expiry on 31 March 2013 - equating to around 5% of total contract value.

  Given that both the cost of electricity on the wholesale market and distribution charges have increased significantly over the past year and wholesale costs are likely to continue to rise, benefits take the form of cost avoidance.

  While it is for individual public bodies to calculate the benefits they have derived and will continue to derive from the new contracts, we estimate that the £10 million annual benefits will accrue to the participating sectors as follows:

  Central Government: 5.98%

  Local Authority, Fire and Police: 58.48%

  NHS Scotland: 21.04%

  Higher & Further Education: 13.78%

  Third Sector: 0.72%.

  Importantly, the contracts also allow increased budgetary certainty for public bodies, as the flexible procurement model adopted involves multiple purchases on the wholesale market, which "smooths out" the volatility inherent in large, one-off transactions in commodity markets. Significant process savings have also been achieved for public bodies through going to market once for a large part of the public sector.

Energy Efficiency

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that the Energy Assistance Package addresses the needs of carers.

Alex Neil: The Scottish Government recognises the important role that carers play in Scotland and has put a number of measures in place to support carers. To that end, we have published, with COSLA, a carers strategy on 26 July 2010. This strategy takes into account the views of a wide range of interests and is based on a review of progress against the Care 21 report, The Future of Unpaid Care in Scotland , and on the input from stakeholders. It will focus on improving outcomes for carers through better recognition and support.

  The Energy Assistance Package is open to anyone in Scotland. It offers energy efficiency advice, benefits and tax credit checks, tariff checks and physical measures to eligible households to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Because it is broader than previous schemes, such as the Central Heating Programme, it can help a much wider group of people, including carers. If anyone is having difficulty heating their home I would urge that they contact the freephone number for assistance 0800 512012.

Enterprise

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3O-11646 by John Swinney on 7 October 2010, whether it will provide a breakdown of meetings that have taken place since April 2010 between it and organisations and representatives from the business community, including the dates of the meetings, the organisations represented and the individuals present.

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3O-11646 by John Swinney on 7 October 2010, whether it will provide a breakdown of all organisations and representatives from the business community with which it has corresponded since April 2010.

John Swinney: Numerous meetings have taken place between various Ministers and officials since April 2010. These include meetings with representative bodies, such as the Scottish Chamber of Commerce whom I met on 28 June, as well as meetings at which a range of individuals were present, such as when the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism met with local Ballater businesses on 27 September.

  Additionally, there has been various correspondence between both private individual business owners and representative business organisations, since April 2010.

  In addition to meetings and direct correspondence, we have sought to make information on revaluation widely available. This includes on the Scottish Government and Business Gateway websites and leaflets have been distributed to Councils, Scottish Assessors, business representative organisations such as Federation of Small Businesses, Citizens Advice Bureaux, individual ratepayers and specialist rating agents.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason there is no operator of last resort for ferry services, given that there are operators of last resort for rail services and other UK and Scottish public services subject to competitive tender.

Stewart Stevenson: The contracts for the Northern Isles and Clyde and Hebrides ferry services provide for careful management and monitoring of the operator’s performance and contain resolution procedures. The Scottish Government is content that this provides the required security of service for ferry users, and that there is therefore no need for the services of an Operator of Last Resort.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the provision of an operator of last resort for ferry services.

Stewart Stevenson: Our position is set out in the answer to question S3W-36740 on 26 October 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Parliament was informed that there would be no operator of last resort for ferry services and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Stewart Stevenson: No formal statement was made to the Scottish Parliament on this issue. The contracts for lifeline ferry services in Scotland were made publicly available and published on the Scottish Government’s website.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to ensure early diagnosis and treatment of pneumococcal disease.

Shona Robison: In addition to the wide range of awareness raising and information materials currently produced by Health Scotland and the Scottish Government, each year the Chief Medical Officer writes to health professionals, including all general practitioners, reminding them of the importance of pneumococcal disease and of the need to promote and deliver vaccination to those at risk.

  The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidance Network has produced two guidance documents which refer to the recognition and management of pneumococcal infection (Community Management of Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Adults (June 2002) and Diagnosis and Management of Childhood Otitis Media in Primary Care (February 2003)). Both of these documents highlight the importance of pneumococcal immunisation in preventing pneumococcal disease. These documents can be accessed at:

  http://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/.

  In 1999, an enhanced surveillance scheme was introduced for invasive pneumococcal disease which is jointly managed by Health Protection Scotland (HPS) and the Scottish Meningococcus and Pneumococcus Reference Laboratory. The information produced by the enhanced surveillance system is routinely monitored by HPS to detect any trends in disease epidemiology.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to improve awareness of pneumococcal disease.

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is organising a structured education programme to ensure awareness of pneumococcal disease and prevention through vaccination.

Shona Robison: A wide range of public and professional information is already available in respect of pneumococcal disease and prevention through vaccination. For the public, NHS Health Scotland, who produce information materials to support the childhood vaccination programmes, have a series of publications which aim to ensure awareness of pneumococcal disease and prevention through vaccination. These include Ready Steady Baby, A Guide to Childhood Immunisations for Babies up to 13 Months of Age and A Guide to Immunisations at 12 and 13 Months . Information leaflets produced by the Scottish Government to support the adult pneumococcal vaccination programme are also widely available. All of this information is available on the new immunisation Scotland website, www.immunisationscotland.org.uk , which was launched earlier this year.

  Immunisation is the most effective way of preventing pneumococcal disease. Routine immunisation rates in babies with pneumococcal vaccine is high in Scotland, with the most recent vaccine uptake rates being 97.1%.

  In addition to the above, the Scottish Meningitis Awareness Group, which is chaired by Health Protection Scotland and which involves Health Scotland, NHS24 and leading meningitis charities, exists to promote awareness of meningitis and septicaemia (conditions caused by invasive pneumococcal disease) amongst the general public and health professionals. The group has been responsible for a three year awareness raising campaign for both the public and health professionals. This campaign targeted specific population groups and produced a range of materials and leaflets which are available at:

  http://www.healthscotland.com/topics/immunisation/meningitis.aspx.

  In the past, work has been done around promoting awareness (and immunisation) in particular at-risk groups such as asplenics and those with cochlear implants

  For health professionals, pneumococcal disease is also covered in the NHS Education Scotland elearning package "Promoting Effective Immunisation Practice". Each year the Chief Medical Officer writes to health professionals reminding them of the importance of pneumococcal disease and of the need to promote and deliver vaccination to those at risk.

Health

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on art by each NHS board in each year since 2007, broken down by the cost of each artwork.

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent by each NHS board on promotional (a) printed literature and (b) DVDs in each year since 2007.

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent by each NHS board on (a) away days, (b) overnight accommodation for NHS board members and (c) flights for NHS board members in each year since 2007.

Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held centrally.

Interpreters

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what hourly rate is paid to interpreters engaged by its directorates and agencies.

John Swinney: The hourly rate paid to the contractors is considered to be commercially sensitive and disclosure of it is likely to prejudice substantially the commercial interest of the contractors.

Interpreters

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what level of qualification is required by interpreters engaged by it and its agencies.

John Swinney: Interpreters are expected to hold, where possible, the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI) (Scottish Legal Option) or have recent experience of consecutive and simultaneous interpreting in the criminal court context.

  DPSI is not available in all languages and in some cases where a spoken interpreter does not have the required qualification; it is recommended that a full written report be provided detailing the basis of the assessment and recommendation.

Interpreters

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the quality and accuracy of interpreters providing services to its directorates and agencies.

John Swinney: The quality of services provided under the contracts is monitored by court officials and this is communicated to the Scottish Courts Service and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service contract managers who formally monitor the collaborative contract through a process of quarterly contract management meetings with the service provider.

Justice

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many reported crimes listed as crimes of indecency there have been in each police board area in each of the last 10 years, broken down by type of crime.

Kenny MacAskill: A table showing the number of crimes of indecency recorded by the police in Scotland, broken down by police force area and type of crime, from 2000-01to 2009-10, has been prepared and a copy of this table will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 51909).

Justice

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many reported crimes listed as cruel and unnatural treatment of children there have been in each police board area in each of the last 10 years.

Kenny MacAskill: The information requested is given in the following table.Crimes of Cruel and Unnatural Treatment of Children Recorded by the Police, by Police Force Area, 2000-01 to 2009-10

  Scotland

  

 
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10


Cruelty (Neglecting and Causing) to and Unnatural Treatment of Children
1,102
1,384
1,404
1,416
1,241
1,272
1,315
1,420
1,521
1,647


Child Stealing (Plagium)
45
43
46
49
40
49
38
9
11
8


Exposing Child Under Age of 7 to Risk of Burning
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


All Cruel and Unnatural Treatment of Children
1,148
1,427
1,450
1,465
1,281
1,321
1,353
1,429
1,532
1,655



  Central

  

 
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10


Cruelty (Neglecting and Causing) to and Unnatural Treatment of Children
29
57
50
43
79
98
114
121
76
47


Child Stealing (Plagium)
3
2
2
5
5
4
2
1
1
0


Exposing Child Under Age of 7 to Risk of Burning
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


All Cruel and Unnatural Treatment of Children
32
59
52
48
84
102
116
122
77
47



  Dumfries and Galloway

  

 
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10


Cruelty (Neglecting and Causing) to and Unnatural Treatment of Children
11
7
7
9
5
13
16
17
12
14


Child Stealing (Plagium)
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0


Exposing Child Under Age of 7 to Risk of Burning
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


All Cruel and Unnatural Treatment of Children
11
8
7
10
6
13
16
17
12
14



  Fife

  

 
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10


Cruelty (Neglecting and Causing) to and Unnatural Treatment of Children
23
33
45
46
34
53
41
62
59
41


Child Stealing (Plagium)
5
3
3
2
2
6
3
0
1
0


Exposing Child Under Age of 7 to Risk of Burning
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


All Cruel and Unnatural Treatment of Children
28
36
48
48
36
59
44
62
60
41



  Grampian

  

 
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10


Cruelty (Neglecting and Causing) to and Unnatural Treatment of Children
55
105
91
121
140
105
119
92
139
165


Child Stealing (Plagium)
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0


Exposing Child Under Age of 7 to Risk of Burning
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


All Cruel and Unnatural Treatment of Children
55
105
91
121
141
106
119
92
139
165



  Lothian and Borders

  

 
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10


Cruelty (Neglecting and Causing) to and Unnatural Treatment of Children
103
149
184
168
154
152
173
202
276
262


Child Stealing (Plagium)
20
14
12
5
5
12
9
0
3
2


Exposing Child Under Age of 7 to Risk of Burning
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


All Cruel and Unnatural Treatment of Children
124
163
196
173
159
164
182
202
279
264



  Northern

  

 
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10


Cruelty (Neglecting and Causing) to and Unnatural Treatment of Children
90
76
78
115
107
109
137
91
117
113


Child Stealing (Plagium)
0
2
1
2
1
3
2
0
0
1


Exposing Child Under Age of 7 to Risk of Burning
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


All Cruel and Unnatural Treatment of Children
90
78
79
117
108
112
139
91
117
114



  Strathclyde

  

 
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10


Cruelty (Neglecting and Causing) to and Unnatural Treatment of Children
713
886
868
828
651
678
638
761
729
873


Child Stealing (Plagium)
11
13
21
23
19
14
17
8
5
2


Exposing Child Under Age of 7 to Risk of Burning
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


All Cruel and Unnatural Treatment of Children
724
899
889
851
670
692
655
769
734
875



  Tayside

  

 
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10


Cruelty (Neglecting and Causing) to and Unnatural Treatment of Children
78
71
81
86
71
64
77
74
113
132


Child Stealing (Plagium)
6
8
7
11
6
9
5
0
1
3


Exposing Child Under Age of 7 to Risk of Burning
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


All Cruel and Unnatural Treatment of Children
84
79
88
97
77
73
82
74
114
135



  Source: Scottish Government Justice Analytical Services.

Ministerial Meetings

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36145 by Alex Neil on 16 September 2010, what topics were discussed at the meeting between the Minister for Housing and Communities and the UK Minister for Disabled People on 29 July 2010.

Alex Neil: The topics discussed at the meeting between the UK Minister for Disabled People and I on 29 July 2010 were:Independent Living Fund;Lack of consultation with regard to policy developments with implications for Scotland;Welfare Reform;

  London 2012 Legacy Plan and Commonwealth Games.

People with Dementia

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people with dementia or memory impairment were in receipt of self-directed support, or direct payments, in (a) 2007, (b) 2008 and (c) 2009.

Shona Robison: In 2009-10, 97 people receiving a direct payment had dementia.Information on clients with dementia was collected for the first time in the 2010  self-directed support (direct payments) survey. In previous surveys, these clients were included in the "Other client group" category.

People with Dementia

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of people in receipt of self-directed support, or direct payments, had dementia or memory impairment in (a) 2007, (b) 2008 and (c) 2009.

Shona Robison: In 2009-10, 2.6% of people receiving a direct payment had dementia.Information on clients with dementia was collected for the first time in the 2010  self-directed support (direct payments) survey. In previous surveys, these clients were included in the "Other client group" category.The Scottish Government provided Alzheimer Scotland with funding to carry out a study into the use of direct payments for people with dementia and their carers. The findings, published in their report, Let’s get personal , illustrates that self-directed support along with natural supports in the lives of people with dementia can delay the need for institutional care. The dementia and the self-directed support strategies will make it clear that people with dementia and their families should have choice and control in the support provided to them. Alzheimer Scotland is represented on the Self-directed Support Bill Steering Group.

Planning

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of a precedent in which parties involved in local planning decisions have been found liable under the law of delict where a third party has been adversely affected.

Stewart Stevenson: We are not aware of such a precedent. Where an individual wishes to establish the legal position on such an issue, they should seek legal advice.

Planning

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-35711 by John Swinney on 1 September 2010, what provisions in respect of a requirement to notify neighbouring properties of a planning application in the regulations were in place prior to the enactment of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2008.

Stewart Stevenson: The 2008 regulations came into force on to 3 August 2010 and prior to that date neighbour notification requirements were specified in the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Scotland) Order 1992, now revoked, and the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, which has been amended.Previously, applicants were responsible for neighbour notification, which applied to land next to or within four metres of the boundary of the land for which development was proposed; although there were slightly different requirements in particular circumstances. Applicants had to use the valuation roll to identify the names and addresses of those with an interest in such land and, where such information was not available, they had to send notification to premises on the neighbouring land. In the absence of premises the planning authority would place a notice in a newspaper and charge the applicant. Applicants had to certify the extent to which they had carried out neighbour notification and it was an offence, punishable by a fine, to knowingly or recklessly issue a notification or certificate which was false or misleading.

Planning

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a planning presumption requiring new buildings to include sufficient renewable generation on site to deliver between 20% and 50% of their energy needs.

Stewart Stevenson: No, we intend to continue to have an outcome-focussed approach by delivering CO 2 emissions reductions through building regulations. This allows the procurer of the new building the opportunity to use energy efficiency measures to good effect as well as consideration for using on-site renewable energy technologies. We have just introduced a 30% reduction in CO 2 emissions for new buildings through these regulations and they are set at such a level that compliance will generally involve the use of such technologies. Paragraph 44 of Scottish Planning Policy complements this approach, stating that "It is recommended that development plan policies for development involving low and zero carbon generating technologies should accord with the standards, guidance and methodologies provided in building regulations".

Residential Care

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36178 by Shona Robison on 21 September 2010, who is participating in the review of long-term care funding and delivery.

Shona Robison: The Reshaping Care for Older People programme in Scotland is being taken forward jointly by the Scottish Government, COSLA and NHS Scotland through the Ministerial Strategic Group on Health and Community Care (MSG). The MSG is working with key partners, the public, stakeholders and their representatives and staff from the statutory and voluntary sectors, to evolve options for the future planning, provision and funding of services for older people.The wider issue of how long-term care is funded, specifically in terms of the balance between state and individual contribution, is a reserved matter, and is the focus of the UK Independent Commission on the Funding of Care and Support. We are however working in partnership with the commission to ensure that we achieve an affordable and sustainable funding system for care and support that reflects the interests of Scottish people.

Residential Care

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36178 by Shona Robison on 21 September 2010, what organisations are being consulted in the review of long-term care funding and delivery.

Shona Robison: The Reshaping Care for Older People programme is being informed by a wide range of views. An extensive public engagement exercise took place between May and October 2010. During this time we have sought views from frontline local authority and NHS staff, voluntary sector partners, private sector interests and members of the public. All organisations involved in the planning and delivery of care for older people in Scotland were invited to make representations. We will take account of all representations and views received when we publish the outcome of the engagement phase.

  The UK Independent Commission on Funding Care and Support has not yet published its approach to consultation. It is anticipated this will be made public in the next month, when it can be viewed at http://carecommission.dh.gov.uk/. We will ensure that the views of Scotland are taken into account.

Residential Care

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36178 by Shona Robison on 21 September 2010, what the timescale is for the review of long-term care funding and delivery.

Shona Robison: We aim to publish our plans for delivering the Reshaping Care Programme by the end of this year. We want to build an enduring consensus with our partners in COSLA and NHS Scotland that can underpin the programme over the next 20 years.The UK Independent Commission on Funding Care and Support has been tasked with reporting to UK Ministers by July 2011.

Road Safety

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers the benefits would be of a graduated driving licence scheme for young drivers in Scotland.

Stewart Stevenson: The legislation for graduated licensing is reserved but in our reply to the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) consultation on learning to drive in 2008, we highlighted that there is strong support for regulated driving for new drivers amongst the road safety community and that the DSA should actively consider the effectiveness of restrictions on new drivers. Our response also advocated a more structured lifelong learning approach to driving and the importance of post-test training and qualifications.To assist with the gathering of supporting evidence for a graduated licence scheme, Transport Scotland is in the final stages of awarding a contract to facilitate a national debate on young driver issues. At the end of the process we will be better placed to consider the implications the introduction of a graduated driving licensing scheme could have for newly qualified and inexperienced drivers in Scotland.

Road Safety

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has undertaken to reduce the number of young driver deaths between 9 pm and 6 am.

Stewart Stevenson: Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 , published in June 2009, identifies drivers aged 17 to 25 as a priority area for the Scottish Government and its partners. The framework sets out a number of commitments to address young driver safety one of which is a commitment to conduct a public debate on young driver issues, including graduated licences the legislation for which is reserved to the UK Government.Transport Scotland is in the final stages of awarding a contract to facilitate the debate. At the end of the process we will be better placed to consider what further measures could be undertaken to reduce the number of fatalities and casualties among young drivers.

Road Safety

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives are in place to deter young people from driving between 9 pm and 6 am.

Stewart Stevenson: Through Road Safety Scotland, the Scottish Government has produced a number of road safety education resources and publicity initiatives which refer to the implications relating to driving at night. These include, Crash Magnets , a resource for young people aged 14 to 18; Learning to Drive , an information booklet for parents and teenagers; and Just One Distraction , an integrated marketing campaign. The legislation for introducing restrictions on night time driving is reserved but, in our response to the Driving Standards Agency consultation in 2008, we highlighted that there is strong support amongst the road safety community in Scotland for regulated driving for new drivers.Transport Scotland is in the final stages of awarding a contract to facilitate a national debate on young drivers issues. At the end of the process we will be better placed to consider what future initiatives, related to night time driving, may be required.

Roads

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many tonnes of road salt have been held in reserve in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority.

Stewart Stevenson: Responsibility for winter maintenance on local roads is a matter for individual local authorities and the Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.

Roads

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to provide sufficient reserves of road salt for winter 2010-11 and what assurance it can give that these will be effective.

Stewart Stevenson: The responsibility for winter maintenance rests with individual roads authorities, in the case of trunk roads the Scottish Ministers, and on local roads the relevant local authority. The Scottish Salt Group chaired by Transport Scotland and including representatives from Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland, Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and COSLA have been collaborating on the resilience of Scotland and have jointly published a report which is available at: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-research/publications-and-consultations/j13001-00.htm .As recommended in the report, monitoring of restocking has shown that Scottish roads authorities are on target to have sufficient salt before the worst weather starts. The report also recommended the development of a strategic salt stock of around 30,000 tonnes. Transport Scotland has started the process of procuring this.

Scottish Futures Trust

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the £111 million that has been reported as being saved by the Scottish Futures Trust in 2009-10 has been deployed and, if not, in what way it will be.

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive which budget lines have benefited, or will benefit, from the £111 million that was reported as being saved by the Scottish Futures Trust in 2009-10.

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the £111 million that was reported as being saved by the Scottish Futures Trust in 2009-10 will be ring-fenced for infrastructure investment and, if so, which projects will be funded.

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanism is in place for deciding how the £111 million that was reported as being saved by the Scottish Futures Trust in 2009-10 will be deployed.

John Swinney: The Scottish Futures Trust has identified £111 million of net benefits as a result of work undertaken in 2009-10. These benefits are from a mixture of efficiency gains, additional investment and avoided costs.

Scottish Futures Trust

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the £111 million that was reported as being saved by the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) in 2009-10 has remained in the SFT’s budget.

John Swinney: The £111 million of future benefits delivered by the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) will not form part of the SFT budget.

Scottish Futures Trust

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanism is in place for deciding how future savings made by the Scottish Futures Trust will be deployed.

John Swinney: Scottish Ministers will determine how savings accrued through the work of the Scottish Futures Trust are deployed.

Scottish Futures Trust

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the Scottish Futures Trust’s benefits statement, which was independently and externally validated by Grant Thornton LLP and academics from the London School of Economics and Political Science, was audited only in terms of the methodology and underlying assumptions rather than undergoing a formal audit of the amounts stated as savings in the benefits statement.

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the amounts stated as savings in the benefits statement of the Scottish Futures Trust will be externally audited beyond the methodology and underlying assumptions.

John Swinney: I have asked Barry White, Chief Executive of the Scottish Futures Trust, to respond. His response is as follows:The £111 million of net savings and benefits delivered by the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) in 2009-10 has been externally validated by London School of Economics and Grant Thornton and a full transparent breakdown of the calculations and validation findings are available on the SFT website. There are no plans for further validation or audit as the figures do not form part of SFT’s statutory accounts.

Scottish Government Departments

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent staff and at what grade are deployed in its Local Government – Council Tax Abolition unit.

John Swinney: The Local Government - Council Tax Abolition team, which was part of the Local Government Division within the Scottish Government, has varied in staff composition over time. Within the Division, there are currently two full-time staff, at C2 and B2 grades, working directly on council tax policy and administration matters.

Scottish Government Departments

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what work is being undertaken by its Local Government – Council Tax Abolition unit.

John Swinney: The Local Government - Council Tax Abolition team, is part of the Local Government Division within the Scottish Government. Officials are currently working on a range of council tax policy and administration matters, including the development of measures to deliver a fairer local tax based on ability to pay.

Scottish Government Departments

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent staff and at what grade were employed in its Local Government – Council Tax Abolition unit in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2007-08.

John Swinney: The Local Government - Council Tax Abolition team, which was part of the Local Government Division within the Scottish Government, has changed staff composition over time. As a result, a number of staff have worked over time on council tax policy and administration matters, including developing measures to deliver a fairer local tax based on ability to pay. Those involved, who also undertook other tasks involving or connected with council tax policy, are set out in the following table.

  Number and Grade of Full-Time Equivalent Staff

  

2007-08
0.8 C1
  0.8 B3
  B2
  B1 


2008-09
0.8 C2
0.1 C1
0.9 B3
0.7 B2
B1


2009-10
C2
  1.2 B3
0.4 B2
1.3 B1



  Note:(i) The composition of the staff in post changed over time. Where a fraction is shown against a grade in the table, that reflects the proportion that a full time equivalent official spent in the team during a full year.(ii) In addition to the above, support was provided to the team, as required, from a director, deputy director and A3.

Scottish Government Departments

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent staff and at what grade are deployed in its Scottish Investment Bank Project team.

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent staff and at what grade were employed on its Scottish Investment Bank Project team in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2007-08.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Investment Bank project team is comprised of a combination of Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Government staff. At present, there are 3.5 full-time equivalent members of Scottish Government staff who work on the project and they are the following grades: 1 x Deputy Director, 1.4 x C1, 0.6 x B2 and 0.5 x A3. The majority of the project team is populated with a range of Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Government staff on a demand-led basis. Many of these team members are specialists in areas such as procurement or investment and join the team to undertake specific areas of work as required. This number and breakdown of staff has been consistent since the Scottish Investment Bank project team was formally established in January 2010.

Scottish Government Departments

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what work is being undertaken by its Scottish Investment Bank Project team.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Investment Bank project team is currently focused on developing the Scottish Loan Fund, which will sit under the auspices of the Scottish Investment Bank alongside the existing equity-based funds currently operated by Scottish Enterprise. Ongoing tasks currently include a public procurement exercise to appoint an independent fund manager and continuing discussions with private sector financial institutions with the aim of securing additional funding for the Scottish Loan Fund.

Scottish Government Departments

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent staff and at what grade are deployed in its infrastructure investment group.

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent staff and at what grade were employed in its infrastructure investment group in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2007-08.

John Swinney: The Infrastructure Investment Group meets quarterly and has a membership comprising of senior officials with responsibility for capital expenditure from both within Scottish Government and its core agencies, such as Transport Scotland and the Scottish Prison Service; the Scottish Futures Trust and the Scottish Funding Council.

Scottish Government Departments

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what work is being undertaken by its infrastructure investment group.

John Swinney: The Infrastructure Investment Group (IIG) plays a valuable role in the scrutiny and oversight of the Scottish Government’s capital investment programme. IIG work includes strategic governance, the provision of quality assurance and the dissemination of best practice.

Scottish Government Departments

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent staff and at what grade are deployed in its Capital and Risk unit.

John Swinney: At the time of answer, the Capital and Risk division comprises of the following full-time equivalent staff:

  
 One Deputy Director; 
Two C2s;
One C1;One B3;
One B Fast Stream;
One B2.

Scottish Government Departments

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what work is being undertaken by its Capital and Risk unit.

John Swinney: The Capital and Risk Division is part of the Scottish Government's Finance Directorate and works closely across the full range of portfolios and other public bodies in its pivotal role of providing advice and information to ministers on public sector infrastructure investment.The key functions of the division include close liaison and service arrangements with the Scottish Futures Trust; management and governance of the capital programme, including taking forward the Capital Spending Review; policy lead for financial strategy and financing the capital programme, including the development of innovative financing methods such as tax incremental financing; secretariat for the Infrastructure Investment Group.

Scottish Government Departments

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent staff and at what grade were employed in its Capital and Risk unit in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2007-08.

John Swinney: The Capital and Risk division was formed in August 2009 to further strengthen management of the Scottish Government’s capital programme. At the end of March 2010, the following full-time equivalent staff were employed:

  
 One deputy director; 
Two C2s;One B3;
One B1.

Scottish Public Services Ombudsman

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints were received by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman in (a) 2007, (b) 2008 and (c) 2009 regarding maladministration of the Scottish Government’s complaints procedure.

Fergus Ewing: This information is not held centrally. The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) in the exercising of his functions is independent of ministers.Information about the nature and volume of complaints can be found on the SPSO website at  http://www.spso.org.uk/ or by contacting the SPSO direct.

Scottish Public Services Ombudsman

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints were received by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) in relation to its handling of complaints in (a) 2007, (b) 2008 and (c) 2009 and how many of these related to alleged maladministration by the SPSO.

Fergus Ewing: This information is not held centrally. The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) in the exercising of his functions is independent of ministers.Information about the nature and volume of complaints can be found on the SPSO website at http://www.spso.org.uk/ or by contacting the SPSO direct.

Taxation

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on revenue forecasts for the Scottish tax take for each major tax in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12.

John Swinney: Estimates of the tax revenue raised in Scotland from 2004-05 to 2008-09 are available in Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) 2008-09. The report is available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/06/22160331/0 . Estimates for 2009-10 onwards are not currently available.

Voluntary Sector

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent on the Forum for Environmental Volunteering Activity in each year since its establishment.

Roseanna Cunningham: Although the Scottish Government does not fund the Forum for Environmental Volunteering Activity (FEVA), we have funded a number of initiatives for the benefit of member organisations across the FEVA network as summarised in the following table.

  The Volunteer Managers Development Programme includes training and networking, some of which is carried out and promoted through FEVA, and the project co-ordinator’s work contributes to FEVA activities. We also fund external bodies to provide secretariat to FEVA meetings, including a group which gives stakeholder input to steering the Volunteer Managers Development Programme and Investing in Volunteering project.

  

Year
Funding Amount
Receiving Body
Purpose


2006-07
£399,999
British Trust Conservation Volunteers (BTCV)
Greenspace projects


2007-08
£170,000
BTCV
Volunteer Managers Development Project (VMDP)


£30,000
Volunteer Development Scotland (VDS)
Investing in Volunteering (IiV)


2008-09
£170,000
BTCV
VMDP


£30,000
VDS
IiV


£10,000
Community Service Volunteers (CSV)
FEVA Secretariat


2009-10
£105,000
BTCV
VMDP + Ecofusion event


£15,000
VDS
IiV


£9,013
CSV
FEVA Secretariat


2010-11(Grants Offered but Not Yet Claimed in Full)
£85,000
BTCV
VMDP


£15,000
VDS
IiV


£4,000
John Muir Trust
FEVA Secretariat